Wallace Named EIU Male Newcomer Of the Year

Sophomore men’s basketball guard Josiah Wallace has been named the Eastern Illinois Male Newcomer of the Year for the 2018-19 academic year.  The award is presented by the athletic department to the top newcomer (freshman or transfer) for their athletic success during the most recent academic year.  A list of finalists is announced each April and then voted on following the conclusion of the athletic year.

Wallace, from Marshall, Ill., was the leading scorer for Eastern Illinois averaging 15.5 points per game which ranked eighth in the OVC in scoring.  He finished the season with 24 double figure scoring games including a season high 31 points against Arkansas State.  In conference play, Wallace increased his scoring average to 16.4 points per game.  He would finish the regular season ranked sixth in free throw percentage, 10th in 3-pointers made and 13th in assists in the OVC.  Wallace was a first-team All-OVC selection becoming just the sixth EIU men’s player to earn first team All-OVC honors in basketball.  He added All-OVC Newcomer team and second team NABC All-District honors.

Wallace was one of six finalists this year for the EIU Male Newcomer of the Year Award.  He was joined on the list by Johnathan Brantley from football, Griffin Lewis from swimming, Nick Oakley from cross country, Jekeel Suber from track and Michael YaSenka from baseball.  The EIU Female Newcomer of the Year will be announced on June 12.